As Obaigbena Tasks Politicians to Make 2027 Poll Contest of Ideas… – THISDAYLIVE

Sunday Aborisade writes that the charge by the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers and AriseNews Group, Nduka Obaigbena, to political gladiators last Thursday exposes the country’s enduring campaign culture of personality, propaganda and smear, and raises questions about what the contestants, the media and the regulators must henceforth, do differently.

As Nigeria inches towards another general election in 2027, the country is once again confronted with an old but increasingly dangerous question: will political parties compete on the strength of their ideas, or will the contest degenerate into another bruising battle of personalities, accusations, propaganda and smear campaigns?

That question assumed renewed significance following the intervention by the Chairman of THISDAY and Arise Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena, who challenged political leaders to make the 2027 election a contest of policies rather than that of personalities.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria at the THISDAY DOME in Abuja, Obaigbena did not merely appeal for civility in political campaigns. He put before Nigeria’s political class, a more fundamental democratic proposition: that elections should give citizens the opportunity to compare competing visions for the country and make informed choices.

His challenge was direct: “I believe I should implore our leaders to fight the election on policies.” He immediately followed the appeal with questions that go to the heart of Nigeria’s political and economic predicament. He asked, “Should we have subsidy or should we not? Let us debate it. Should we go back to the command-and-control exchange rates, or should we allow the markets? Should we have tax reforms such that we can equalise the gaps between the rich…